THE BBC has sparked anger after unveiling Michael Gove as the presenter of a new show.
The former senior Tory, now editor of The Spectator magazine, has recorded five episodes of a new programme called Surviving Politics in which he interviews big names including former first minister Humza Yousaf and Labour peer Peter Mandelson.
Other guests include the former home secretary Amber Rudd, former Northern Irish first minister Arlene Foster (below) and Labour grandee Margaret Hodge.
One media expert said Gove's appointment highlighted the "revolving door" between the British media and politics.
Tom Mills, a sociology professor at Aston University and the chair of the Media Reform Coalition, added: "Broadcasters often like the idea of using former politicians because they have inside knowledge and good connections. But it leads to insular political thinking, and raises concerns around media independence and elite capture."
Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said the public had “had enough of Tories like Michael Gove”, in an echo of the former minister’s famous claim that “people in this country have had enough of experts” during the Brexit campaign.
She told The National: “After 14 years of cuts, chaos and economic mismanagement and a brutal and disastrous Brexit that Scotland didn’t vote for, people have had enough of Tories like Michael Gove.
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“This is someone who has a track record of supporting policies that have driven hundreds of thousands of people into poverty and actively working to harm our environment.
“Instead of lining his pockets with taxpayer TV funds, Gove should reflect on his failure to deliver meaningful change for people in Scotland and across the UK.”
Gove, who was raised in Aberdeen, took over the running of the “Tory bible” The Spectator from fellow Scot Fraser Nelson last month.
A former journalist with STV and latterly The Times, Gove announced he was leaving politics ahead of this year’s General Election.
He held a number of senior Government positions, including secretary for levelling up, housing and communities.
Gove and the BBC were approached for comment.
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